In Brazil, one Catholic Mass you'll never forget [John Allen]

[Catholic_Press]

By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
São Paulo, Brazil

I realize this is a bold claim, but I’m going to make it anyway: If you haven’t been to Mass with Padre Marcelo Rossi, you haven’t really been to Mass.

Theologically, of course, that’s ridiculous, because every validly celebrated Mass has the same spiritual value. Sociologically, however, I guarantee that a Mass with Padre Marcello is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Rossi may not be a household name elsewhere, but he’s easily the most famous priest in Brazil, and by a huge margin. In fact, the typical Brazilian probably couldn’t pick the cardinal of São Paulo out of a lineup, but they all know the handsome, tall, wildly charismatic Padre Marcelo, a former aerobics instructor whose CDs with pop-style songs of praise have sold in the tens of millions and earned him a Latin Grammy.

More…

 

[didymus]

NCRonline:

In Brazil, a Catholic Mass you’ll never forget

I realize this is a bold claim, but I’m going to make it anyway: If you haven’t been to Mass with Padre Marcelo Rossi, you haven’t really been to Mass.
Theologically, of course, that’s ridiculous, because every validly celebrated Mass has the same spiritual value. Sociologically, however, I guarantee that a Mass with Padre Marcelo is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Rossi may not be a household name elsewhere, but he’s easily the most famous priest in Brazil, and by a huge margin. In fact, the typical Brazilian probably couldn’t pick the cardinal of São Paulo out of a lineup, but they all know the handsome, tall, wildly charismatic Padre Marcelo, a 42-year-old former aerobics instructor whose CDs with pop-style songs of praise have sold in the millions and earned him a Latin Grammy.

He’s also starred in a enormously popular movie about Mary, in which he plays a parish priest telling the Madonna’s story to a little girl. His Masses routinely draw tens of thousands of people to a former glass factory on the southern edge of São Paulo, and he once actually celebrated a Mass for some two million people on a Formula One race course.

Rossi is usually referred to as a “Catholic charismatic,” and the sprawling faith community he’s created is widely seen as a sort of Catholic answer to the dynamic Pentecostal movements that have mushroomed across Brazil and Latin America.

Reading the whole article it does indeed sound like a Mass I’d never forget – but not in a good way.

 

[rlg94086]

NCRonline:
Reading the whole article it does indeed sound like a Mass I’d never forget – but not in a good way.

Um…yeah…I would agree with you on that.

The crowd was in the middle of a song when Rossi stepped on stage. Though some pious souls might be ambivalent about the obvious pop feel of much of the music, I can at least report that it’s really, really good pop, the kind of music that runs through both the body and the mind, and that stays with you afterwards.

Rossi led the assembly in a couple more rousing numbers, and most people obviously knew the words by heart. If you’ve ever been to a Bon Jovi concert when the band goes into “Livin’ on a Prayer,” you get the idea of what it was like: thousands of people singing with one voice, swaying and waving their arms, some crying and some looking like they’re on a natural high.

Rossi would flash the crowd a thumbs-up, cup his ear to indicate that he wanted the volume pumped up, and tap his heart to signal gratitude for the response. At a few points he put his finger to his lips to tell the people inside to be silent, allowing the thousands of voices from outside to be heard.

In some ways the Mass was like an emotional roller coaster ride, repeatedly building to a fevered crescendo, only to come back down for moments of deep reverence. People were respectful of the key moments, such as the proclamation of the gospel and the eucharistic prayers, but they also seemed to know when it felt right to send up a chant of “Hey, Hey, Hey, Jesus is King!” (which sounds much more lyrical in Portuguese) and when to offer raucous applause.

This sounds like more of concert than a priest offering Mass.

 

[FAB]

NCRonline:

Reading the whole article it does indeed sound like a Mass I’d never forget – but not in a good way.

The Holy Spirit works in the world far beyound our understanding. The advance of protestance in Latin countries is a very real issue and this priest sounds as though he has found a answer. 7 masses a week with over 10,000 people at wach of them and place for a church that will accomadate 100,000. We should have such opportuinites.

Peace,
FAB

 

[vz71]

I have been to a Mass that could be described as in the article, with exception to the sheer number of people.
I have little doubt of the sacredness of the Mass I attended, but do see the unfortunate circumstance that what the article described could well describe the Mass I went to.

I would want to attend before passing any judgement upon this.

It is an unfortunate quality of the charismatic movement that words used to describe it often fall short…and often bring about negative feelings.

 

[tassitus]

Sorry, I only got halfway through the article before I’d read enough.

“Stage”? “Pop music”? Applause"? “Guest speakers”? “Swaying” and “armwaving”? During mass? Show me these in the rubrics and okay. Otherwise, no thank you - not during mass.

I’ve been to both charismatic masses (far less “showy” though) and charismatic prayer meetings (where almost everything goes and if spirit-led is acceptable), but Padre Marcelo Rossi has no right to do what he’s doing to the Church’s mass.

Of course, that’s only my opinion.

Peace all.

 

[VisionaryOne]

This sounds like a laugh riot not a Catholic Mass.

 

[tassitus]

This sounds like a laugh riot not a Catholic Mass.

True, but is it really that funny?

I’m fairly certain that a shouted response of “Hey, Hey, Hey, Jesus is King!” is nowhere in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

 

[VisionaryOne]

No, it is not funny. It’s quite a serious matter. The hidden truth is Heaven rejoices in humble adoration. Doctors of the Church, Mystics and Visionaries confirm that in Heaven there is much rejoicing with quietness, peaceful silence and humble adoration.

 

[FAB]

No, it is not funny. It’s quite a serious matter. The hidden truth is Heaven rejoices in humble adoration. Doctors of the Church, Mystics and Visionaries confirm that in Heaven there is much rejoicing with quietness, peaceful silence and humble adoration.

I find these post funny. Waht happened to make a joyful noise to the Lord!! They may have quiet jubiltion in heaven, but this is earth, we sing, dance and shout.
This brings people to God. Open your eyes and see the joy held with that fact.

Peace,
FAB

 

[VisionaryOne]

If you believe that shouting at the top of your lungs to God and praising loudly with a performance like a circus then you are a Pharisees standing in the market place worshipping him in public with fireworks. To be seen worshipping him in front of others publicly has no value to your spirit. It’s only a placebo effect.

The reality of the hidden truth is private adoration rewards private revelation.

 

[FAB]

If you believe that shouting at the top of your lungs to God and praising loudly with a performance like a circus then you are a Pharisees standing in the market place worshipping him in public with fireworks. To be seen worshipping him in front of others publicly has no value to your spirit. It’s only a placebo effect.

The reality of the hidden truth is private adoration rewards private revelation.

you are a Pharisees standing in the market place worshipping him in public with fireworks.
I never heard of a Pharisees doing this! as a matter of fact they were strick rule followers, sounds like many on this site.

Peace,
FAB

 

[VisionaryOne]

I am beginning to see philosophy is not your friend.

Pharisees standing in the market place worshipping him in public with fireworks

Simply means you are making a spectacle of worshipping God. That leads to giving God a false image as a dictator who demands without mercy. Hence, people run away from your belief because it is made up.

I really do not know how to explain more clear that public adoration is an empty path. You will get nothing after death as you have received your reward in life.

 

[catholicsuffer]

No, it is not funny. It’s quite a serious matter. The hidden truth is Heaven rejoices in humble adoration. Doctors of the Church, Mystics and Visionaries confirm that in Heaven there is much rejoicing with quietness, peaceful silence and humble adoration.

Amen, I would definitely say that this priest needs to be excommunicated.

 

[rlg94086]

I find these post funny. Waht happened to make a joyful noise to the Lord!! **They may have quiet jubiltion in heaven, but this is earth, we sing, dance and shout. **
This brings people to God. Open your eyes and see the joy held with that fact.

Peace,
FAB

It’s interesting that you phrased it like this. We join the choir of angels in singing the Sanctus during Mass. it seems that the “quiet jubilation” of heaven is most appropriate during the re-presentation of Our Lord’s sacrifice.

We are to make a “joyful noise to the Lord,” but the Sacrifice of the Mass is a place where heaven and earth unite. There are plenty of other times and places to make more rambunctious joyful noises other than the Mass.

 

[StillWondering]

I have not read the full article. I am just wondering if the descriptions are accurate would this be a lasting spiritual revival for these parishioners or a transient fad. First of all if the charismatic becomes so vital, what happens when he is no longer able to perform. This is a practical concern. Another is the creation of a stage like scene which reminds me of the market place at the temple of Jerusalem. I have not seen it in person so I cannot say for sure of anything.

I am just wondering if his efforts would backfire or bloom.

 

[vz71]

If you believe that shouting at the top of your lungs to God and praising loudly with a performance like a circus then you are a Pharisees standing in the market place worshipping him in public with fireworks.

It is interesting that you include descriptions that did not appear in the article.
If this Mass was really so bad, why the need to make stuff up?

To be seen worshipping him in front of others publicly has no value to your spirit. It’s only a placebo effect.

And yet every one of us (mostly) takes part in the Mass.
Very much in front of others and public.
Pray tell…is the regular attendence of the Mass just a placebo?

The reality of the hidden truth is private adoration rewards private revelation.

Then private adoration it is…
But where exactly does the Mass fit in with this?

 

[FAB]

I am beginning to see philosophy is not your friend.

Simply means you are making a spectacle of worshipping God. That leads to giving God a false image as a dictator who demands without mercy. Hence, people run away from your belief because it is made up.

I really do not know how to explain more clear that public adoration is an empty path. You will get nothing after death as you have received your reward in life.

There’s not much philosophical about this , but biblically, Jesus called out the Pharisis because they were enforcing laws on the people that they them themselves did not follow. In the market place they promoted themselves.
This mass does not sound that way at all. Theses are joyous people in worship to the Lord.

Peace, FAB

 

[rlg94086]

There’s not much philosophical about this , but biblically, Jesus called out the Pharisis because they were enforcing laws on the people that they them themselves did not follow. In the market place they promoted themselves.
This mass does not sound that way at all. Theses are joyous people in worship to the Lord.

Peace, FAB

Nothing wrong with joyous people worshiping the Lord. However, Mass is not the time for a stage show. Attend Mass before or after, and have the praise and worship service separately.

 

[adowcday]

Amen, I would definitely say that this priest needs to be excommunicated.

WOW! You find the one priest in a million that can get tens of thousands of people to gladly attend mass and you want to get rid of him!

There is nothing wrong with glorifying God with songs and dancing and even a shout or two. It seems like this fine priest is doing everything specified in the rubrics – nothing suggests the contrary. The notion that every mass must be quiet and non-demonstrative to be reverent and God-honoring is just plain wrong. Pope John Paul II loved his public masses with teens acting exuberantly with singing, dancing and so on.

I think that it is dead wrong to equate authentic Catholicism with a certain quiet, nondemonstrative style. True worship takes many forms.